It is true that Mount Auburn is first and foremost a cemetery, but it is also a National Historic Landmark, a botanical garden, an outdoor museum of art and architecture, and an important habitat for urban wildlife. Attend one of our many events and discover for yourself what makes this place so special!
Mount Auburn is proud to participate in in MCC’s Card to Culture Program. Click here to learn more.
Funding for programs has been provided in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Want to learn some very basic ways for drawing the nature you know and love here in Mount Auburn? Join illustrator Clare Walker Leslie in one or all of these Sunday afternoon sessions. Appropriate for ages 10 and up, teens and adults. No previous drawing experience needed. Bring a drawing pad, several pencils and an […]
Following the model developed by Jon Underwood (based on the ideas of Bernard Crettaz), a Death Cafe is an opportunity for people to eat cake, drink tea, and discuss death. The goal is to “increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives.” At Mount Auburn's Death […]
A guided walk exploring the history, symbolism, and artistry of Mount Auburn's collection of Celtic crosses. Mount Auburn Cemetery is home to a remarkable collection of Celtic crosses that reflect Irish and Scottish heritage in 19th- and early 20th-century New England. This guided walk explores the history and symbolism of the Celtic cross, why it […]
A transformative performance on grief, created by composer, poet, and producer, Carolyn Surrick, accompanied by actress Laurie O'Brien. This spare and stunning new work by Carolyn Surrick is a window into a family’s grief, a poignant reminder of the unending boundaries of love, a vehicle for memory, and a place where words and music meet […]
In this two-part poetry event, participants can head to Asa Gray Garden between 1:00-3:00 PM to take home a customized poem by poet and 2025-26 Artist-in-Residence Emily Duggan. Throughout 2025, Emily has been stationed at various sites throughout the landscape, inviting visitors to share their stories, feelings, connections to, and memories of Mount Auburn and […]
Literary historian Rob Velella explores how 19th-century writers turned the American Revolution into an enduring national legend. In honor of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and National Poetry Month, literary historian Rob Velella examines how 19th-century writers looked back on the Revolution and interpreted it for future generations. Through poetry, essays, and popular […]
As spring approaches, come reconnect with your rewilding spirit. Through activities and conversation, join guest guide Stefanie Haug (LICSW) as you refresh your senses and reboot your appreciation for the natural world as we prepare for more time outdoors at Mount Auburn Cemetery. This series will occur monthly, offering a variety of events centered around […]
Mount Auburn, designated a National Historic Landmark, is one of the country’s most significant designed landscapes. Here the arts of horticulture, architecture and sculpture combine with the beauty of nature to create a place of comfort and inspiration. This 1.5-mile walking tour will focus on stories of history, monuments, and the lives of those buried […]
The Rasa String Quartet is back! Join us for an evening filled with music, food, and good company inside the historic Bigelow Chapel. This April, the Laurel Circle Concert Series will return with a performance by the Rasa String Quartet. Enjoy an evening filled with music, food, and good company inside the beautiful historic Bigelow […]
“And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.” Many monuments at Mount Auburn are adorned with quotations from the great English poet and playwright, William Shakespeare, and several theatre actors are among our distinguished residents. Join Volunteer Docent Susan Zawalich to honor the 462nd birthday of The Bard of Avon (actual birthday is April […]